LANCASTER — A Garrard County homeowner and his wife returning home from vacation Monday were caught in a difficult situation after finding a burglar in their home, which ultimately ended in a self-defense shooting.
David Baker told police when he and his wife pulled into their driveway on Jennings Road near the Madison County line, they noticed a sport utility vehicle parked and running. The couple, who had just been on a vacation in Louisiana, didn’t recognize the vehicle and knew something wasn’t right.
Baker told his wife to stay in the car, lock the doors and call the police. Then he went to investigate.
After retrieving a shotgun from the couple’s shed, Baker went to the basement door of their home, which had been kicked in, and called out a warning to anyone in the house, state police said.
Detective Rodney Wren said Baker’s warning was something to the effect of “If you’re in my house, get out. I’m armed.”
Baker then witnessed Jarred Pitman, 26, of Waco come down the stairs. When Pitman realized Baker was armed, he dropped the items he allegedly planned to steal.
Wren said it cannot be released yet what those items were.
After dropping the items, Pitman ran and exited the house from the front door. Baker immediately went to check on his wife, who already had called police and was still in the vehicle, police said.
According to Wren, the suspect began making his way back around the house and approaching Baker. Pitman was pacing in circles and displaying “very erratic” behavior, Wren said, and Baker warned him several times to stop coming toward him.
Wren said Baker was unsure if anyone else was in the house at the time and when the suspect did not stop moving toward him, Baker shot him in the arm.
“He protected himself and his wife,” Wren said.
The suspect ran off, but Trooper Scotty Pennington located Pitman not far from the home on Day Road.
Pitman was transported to the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center in Lexington for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Pitman was charged with three counts of burglary, which included two burglaries Monday in the same neighborhood.
“Evidence was found that tied all three burglaries to him,” Wren said.
When Pitman is released from the hospital, he will be booked into the Lincoln County Regional Jail. Pitman also will be questioned by KSP regarding other recent burglaries.
Garrard County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the burglary but referred questions to the state police.
David Baker told police when he and his wife pulled into their driveway on Jennings Road near the Madison County line, they noticed a sport utility vehicle parked and running. The couple, who had just been on a vacation in Louisiana, didn’t recognize the vehicle and knew something wasn’t right.
Baker told his wife to stay in the car, lock the doors and call the police. Then he went to investigate.
After retrieving a shotgun from the couple’s shed, Baker went to the basement door of their home, which had been kicked in, and called out a warning to anyone in the house, state police said.
Detective Rodney Wren said Baker’s warning was something to the effect of “If you’re in my house, get out. I’m armed.”
Baker then witnessed Jarred Pitman, 26, of Waco come down the stairs. When Pitman realized Baker was armed, he dropped the items he allegedly planned to steal.
Wren said it cannot be released yet what those items were.
After dropping the items, Pitman ran and exited the house from the front door. Baker immediately went to check on his wife, who already had called police and was still in the vehicle, police said.
According to Wren, the suspect began making his way back around the house and approaching Baker. Pitman was pacing in circles and displaying “very erratic” behavior, Wren said, and Baker warned him several times to stop coming toward him.
Wren said Baker was unsure if anyone else was in the house at the time and when the suspect did not stop moving toward him, Baker shot him in the arm.
“He protected himself and his wife,” Wren said.
The suspect ran off, but Trooper Scotty Pennington located Pitman not far from the home on Day Road.
Pitman was transported to the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center in Lexington for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Pitman was charged with three counts of burglary, which included two burglaries Monday in the same neighborhood.
“Evidence was found that tied all three burglaries to him,” Wren said.
When Pitman is released from the hospital, he will be booked into the Lincoln County Regional Jail. Pitman also will be questioned by KSP regarding other recent burglaries.
Garrard County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the burglary but referred questions to the state police.
